Donation Bill Clears Senate

April 29, 1988|By DIANE HIRTH, Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- A bill to ensure that money donated to save someone`s life will be used only for that purpose was overwhelmingly approved on Thursday by the state Senate. House passage of the measure is expected next week.

``We had very negative publicity connected to the Ronnie DeSillers collection of funds,`` said Sen. Pat Frank, D-Tampa. ``We`re tightening up the law with the passage of this bill today ... eliminating those who are creating negative publicity.``

The bill passed the Senate by a 38-0 vote.

Ronnie DeSillers, a 7-year-old Fort Lauderdale student, died a year ago while waiting for his fourth kidney transplant. His mother, Maria DeSillers, collected almost $1 million to pay her son`s extensive medical bills and then used some for personal expenses, according to a recent state audit.

She has been charged with violating state charity laws and is under investigation by the Dade state attorney`s office. DeSillers also has refused to pay some of her son`s bills, saying the hospital provided substandard treatment.

The bill (SB 562) puts the person accepting money for someone in a medical emergency in the same category as a charitable organization or professional solicitors.

If this person raises $5,000 or more, he would be required to register with the Department of State and maintain financial records, which would be available upon request. Semiannual financial reports would have to be submitted to the state.

Although the money would have to be used for the purpose for which it was solicited, any similar worthy charity could receive excess money.